Whatever happened to Topnault?
- Thread starter Wasatch Jay
- Start date
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We were there over a year ago.
Bottom line, the material quality looks good. We had “compatibility issues” attempting to use their components with OEM components. For example, their hood wouldn’t work on a factory cowl because the hinge mounting locations didn’t match.
So we decided not to use their components.
If you buy a complete body from them, they seem to work but you’ll have to do some tweaking.
That’s my opinion. If you know me, then you know that I’m brutally honest, outspoken and I don’t beat around the bush.
Georg @ Valley Hybrids
I went to their facility last week and put eyes on a late model 3/4 tub for a member looking to save some time on rust repairs. I think these parts are great for an enthusiast. I feel terrible for folks paying tens or hundreds of thousand for a “restored” FJ4x or Bronco using all of their components. The fits and finish leaves a lot to be desired which is likely to just get covered up with gallons of seam sealer.
All edges need to be deburred/dulled, lot of sharp edges.
They said every panel gets dipped in a bath of epoxy primer, and then gets another coat of primer/sealer. Not sure why the two coats, maybe there was a disconnect with the language barrier. If i was using their parts, i would sandblast and strip to bare metal and do my own epoxy primer and subsequent body work and paint. I certainly wouldnt pay the money for any of their completely painted bodies unless it was just a woods beater, i just dont trust the prep & quality for the cost.
If i can get some current projects off my plate in 2026, I’ll likely purchase an FJ43 3/4 tub from them to stretch one of my 40’s. I think the quality is fine for a wheeler/run around truck if you arent looking for show quality fit & finish.
Edit to add - i think it is great that someone is making parts for our rigs. I know they have made improvements over time, and would expect them to continue to do so. I know folks have had good success using their patch panels. Based on what i saw, the Bronco is a larger target for them as they had to have had over a dozen complete bodies there. This makes sense as those rigs go for so much more money and with the roadster shop chassis that are available, you can slap one together and have a $200k shiny “new” truck some sucker will buy. For landcruiser bodies, I saw 1 FJ45 compete tub and front clip, two FJ40 3/4 tubs, a couple FJ40 complete tubs w/ front clip, and 2 or 3 complete FJ43 tubs w/ front clips. I hope they succeed as our community will definitely benefit from their efforts.
Last edited:
wimberosa
SILVER Star
Agreed with @Chilkoot The pics are showing some good detail. To me....the tubs look like they are moving in a better direction from the ones we've seen in the past. Not a fan of how a few things line up (such as the bottom of that outside seam in the rear quarter panel), but the sill and floor to wheel wells appears to be a lot better.
If I was using one of these, I'd definitely drive to temecula and put my eyes directly on it.
If I was using one of these, I'd definitely drive to temecula and put my eyes directly on it.